[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6534360,"mediaKeyId","3626161-953d1997668ed89a9da41cb142148613","parentId",3626161,"title","ZBA approves larger wall sign and oversized logo for Excelsior Avenue hardware store despite board concerns","audioSeconds",1277,"startMs",997000,"endMs",2274000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626161-953d1997668ed89a9da41cb142148613&start=997&end=2274","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626161-953d1997668ed89a9da41cb142148613/thumbnail_997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534360/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/ZBA-approves-larger-wall-sign-and-oversized-logo-for-Excelsior-Avenue-hardware-store-despite-board-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534360-4e6275a0685083b4ae31cdd99373165e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439418&Signature=T~ptD7OP1~YazAcWhQyYkcU0B-cCqCGib5KwQOL8t7sk1Jbku-Lj-VFF5-xtDg7qXGgwHou9Y8QXx2aSUPKHo2w5G6sKUzwq0Q~oMK7Gkew~F4T~6JmYnG2QfWV3zjOJyZ3V2lLT-vTyumTgfxFMf07tlTlZkg62GBoa1lxn-Afb9-ZQJ2yHKJOljNTwIkWzp-J47qNn5N9jtMiJKP0Q9I9MTwVnjuF~Doc3jN5OfFuzZFmZ3or6u3hbGlZDX3R28kAT~Y3TpHbd8cRmvISpXtB8zLZbUAQLtSgZUqHALlqtNnbDna0sLDMROLv~NZR1k86s1IVn89AZI~LIW8Btbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Saratoga","date","2025-06-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals on June 2 granted area variances to Saratoga Quality Hardware allowing new wall-lettering at 24 inches (6 inches over the 18-inch district limit) and a circular logo 84 inches tall (68 inches over the 18-inch limit) for the store at 110–112 Excelsior Avenue.

Louise Eddie, identified in the hearing as the owner and applicant representative, told the board the store has been at the location about 50 years and needs clearer street-facing signage because the building is set back behind a large parking area. \"We've been very fortunate to serve the community for the last 50 years in that location,\" Eddie said, arguing the new signage would act both as a wall sign and a replacement for a monument sign that was removed after being struck by a vehicle.

The board asked for and received measurements and renderings comparing proposed lettering heights. The zoning administrator provided calculations showing the existing wall sign area is about 49 square feet and the new total sign area would be about 100 square feet; the UDO maximum cumulative wall signage for the facade is 150 square feet. Board members discussed two vendor signs already on the building — Benjamin Moore and PPG — and whether the applicant should replace or reduce those to reduce overall visual clutter. Eddie said she was willing to reduce the PPG sign and update the Benjamin Moore sign to a sleeker, smaller option but preferred to retain some brand signage because of vendor requirements.

Board members debated compromises on lettering height (suggestions ranged from 18 to 24 inches and informal midpoints such as 21–22 inches). Because the applicant's formal request was for 24 inches and an 84-inch logo, the board's draft motion presented those figures and set findings under the five variance standards. The motion noted comparable 24-inch lettering on an adjacent commercial property and said the new logo's area would be smaller than the existing large Quality Hardware panel.

After discussion the board voted to approve the variances as requested. Individual votes called on the record included: Jay McCasston — opposed; Otis Maxwell — in favor; Amanda Dema — opposed; Paige Simpson — in favor. Several members voted verbally in favor without a name called in the transcript at that moment; the chair announced the motion carried. The draft motion dated 06/02/2025 recorded the requested relief as: lettering height district requirement 18 inches, proposed 24 inches (relief 6 inches or 33.3%); logo height district requirement 18 inches, proposed 84 inches (relief 68 inches or 377.8%).

The board conditioned no additional written requirements on replacement of the freestanding monument sign, though members discussed whether a monument sign could be reinstated in the future. Staff provided the board with follow-up tasks to finalize square-foot computations and to reflect the board’s findings in the written resolution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saratoga - ZBA - Jun 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals voted June 2 to allow larger wall lettering and an oversized circular logo for Saratoga Quality Hardware at 110–112 Excelsior Avenue, approving 24-inch letters and an 84-inch logo after deliberations about cumulative signage and existing vendor signs.","taxTitle","Saratoga Springs City, Saratoga County, New York","taxId",7807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534365,"Zoning board reapproves height variance for Crescent/Jefferson affordable housing, ties extension to permit timeline",136,43000,179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626161-953d1997668ed89a9da41cb142148613&start=43&end=179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626161-953d1997668ed89a9da41cb142148613/thumbnail_43000.jpg","/articles/6534365/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/Zoning-board-reapproves-height-variance-for-CrescentJefferson-affordable-housing-ties-extension-to-permit-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534365-13b2d5e167a6d41a6f955123f05d8898/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439418&Signature=c0D5FguFYjH8xqtOMv-BroayYppRg8OJ416eRlP2Qmo-wR9nTs~ToE7Qf~0aaL03WRKY9jfAR6yvSmf3ICldL7eItqT20Rw8vd9h0R4CSlxlhiDQ4C2iM7vGUbXbP9TFBg1S2j5fK0eL~yQ73-DpuOg--FkOh-2FpcivYs3yZ--qgIFCCTJs9Alyxl3iFWRjhqqO~8EdeJ4Tz~4T83RZWT5izF8aVPKxVwip9~x5AhuCKTvRnGGCsDyE7Q3mxPCuP1RIFMpOu4AG5V6qLpZRP8yj~SwtEzWGV0L2v9T8KgTAx9gA33pLMDlKWOtnDo4gmx0Xgibdm~V1hpomBZSSXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals on June 2 reapproved an area variance allowing a proposed affordable housing complex at the corner of Crescent Avenue and Jefferson Street to reach a midpoint roof height of 48 feet, 8 feet higher than the 40-foot limit in the UR-4 district, and set the standard expiration tied to filing dates and local rules.

The project team told the board the taller midpoint and a half-gable roof profile were intended to make the building more consistent with Saratoga Springs architecture and to screen mechanical equipment. The applicant said the proposed design and unit count constrained the number of floors and that a lower flat roof would leave mechanical equipment exposed: \"We're seeking, 48 feet. 40 feet is the allowable,\" the applicant representative told the board.

Board members reviewed the ZBA's prior May 18, 2023 decision and a coordinated SEQRA review for the same project that resulted in a negative declaration earlier this year. The board concluded there have been no significant changes in neighborhood circumstances since the prior approval and cited the project's 20-acre wooded buffer between the site and the nearest residential receptors as mitigation for visual impacts.

In the board's draft motion the relief was listed as: district maximum height 40 feet, proposed 48 feet, relief requested 8 feet (20%). The motion's findings mirrored the five standard variance criteria: achievability by other means, undesirable change, substantiality, adverse physical or environmental effect, and self-created difficulty. The motion noted the project remains largely forested and that wetlands on the parcel reduce buildable area.

Board members asked the applicant whether the board could tie the variance expiration to building permit issuance rather than a fixed 18-month clock; staff and other members said the 18-month limit is set by the city council and cannot be changed by the ZBA. The applicant was told they may seek administrative extensions under the rules and, because this was treated as a new application, they may be eligible for two extensions.

The board closed the public hearing and voted to approve the variance. Roll call during the meeting recorded the following votes: Christopher Lapointe — in favor; Jonah Cohen — in favor; Baker Gaston — in favor; Maxwell — in favor; Madam Denla — abstain; Bridal Daley — in favor; H Simpson — in favor. The tally announced on the record was six in favor and one abstention. The motion was entered as dated June 2, 2025.

The applicant and staff were instructed that the city council's time limits and the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) govern expiration and extension procedures; the board noted the county planning board had issued a favorable advisory and that the city council had previously adopted the negative SEQRA declaration.","The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals reapproved an area variance allowing a proposed affordable housing building to reach 48 feet in height (8 feet over the 40-foot limit) and clarified the expiration timeline; the board found no new neighborhood changes and cited a prior negative SEQRA declaration.","actionData","errors"]

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ZBA approves larger wall sign and oversized logo for Excelsior Avenue hardware store despite board concerns

Zoning board reapproves height variance for Crescent/Jefferson affordable housing, ties extension to permit timeline